The Eyes of Tammy Faye is based on and inspired by a documentary with the same name from back in 2000. It depicts the real-life scandals and collapse of the multi-million-dollar ministry empire built by Tammy Faye and Jim Bakker. Directed by Michael Showalter, this film stars Jessica Chastain, Andrew Garfield, and Cherry Jones. If you watch this film for no other reason than to see how Jessica Chastain portrays aging with Tammy Faye’s character it will be worth your time.
Who Was Tammy Faye?
Tammy Faye was considered the First Lady of Religious Broadcasting. Married to Jim Bakker, they built a Christian-themed television act modeled after the Johnny Carson show. Tammy lived her life to serve God and most of that time was spent in front of television cameras. Starting from a modest children’s show featuring handmade puppets created by Tammy Faye, she and her husband attempted to make Christianity “look fun”. Behind the scenes, it was far from fun.
Tammy Fay was a resilient woman who battled prescription drug addiction and multiple bouts of cancer. In fact, in a tearful video, she publicly declared that she was checking into rehab and was being treated for the drug addiction that made her “see demons.” For those of you who were alive at that time and remembered back in the 1980s, you will recall this sent soap opera shock waves through almost all mainstream media. If you think the stigma against addiction is strong now, it was much worse back then.
Based on old articles that I could find online, her drug addiction started when she was pregnant with her daughter Tammy Sue with allergy pills. Acting as uppers, the pills kept her hyper and nervous. She was then prescribed Ativan tranquilizers to bring her down. They calmed her nerves on flights, and soon she found they calmed her nerves for many other things. She battled her drug addiction for nearly 20 years. Tammy died of colon cancer in 2007 at the age of 65.
Love Her Or Not, Tammy Was a Trailblazer
Based on additional research I could find, the gay community of the 80s and 90s took to Tammy Faye for a few reasons. First and foremost, they loved her camp style. Her make-up and emotions were both always over the top. All drama all of the time, and the gay community couldn’t get enough of her.
In 1985, Tammy Faye had a now-famous interview segment with Steve Pieters, a gay minister who was an AIDS survivor. After this shocking (at the time) interview, Tammy Faye was pressured to interview a Christian psychiatrist who advised on “how to pray the gay away,” and Tammy Faye refused. Tammy Faye continued to support gay men diagnosed with HIV and Aids for the rest of her life. She was frequently seen at Pride Parades and queer events.
The Eyes of Tammy Faye Review:
Rotten Tomatoes gives this movie a Tomatometer score of 66%, while the audience score reported on their site shows 87%. I’m going to have to agree with the audience. This intimate look at the extraordinary rise, fall, and redemption of Tammy Faye Bakker was one of the best things I did with my time this weekend. Granted, my only other activities included sleeping, walking my dogs, napping, and hosting a Sober Curator virtual monthly meet-up.
I grew up in the church. Both my grandfathers were pastors. I went to a private Christian school, where my mom was my teacher. My sister and I were at church six days a week between Church, Sunday School, Wednesday night Kiwanis, regular school, and then hanging out after school while my mom finished her work. Churches make me comfortable, and so did this movie. I wish I’d watched this movie eating vanilla wafers and animal crackers while sipping room-temperature grape juice for the full nostalgic effect.
Although I am familiar with Tammy Faye and Jim Bakker are, it was a rare occasion that you would find them on my childhood TV growing up. My parents weren’t fans then, and my mom had zero interest in watching this movie with me over the past Christmas holiday I spent at home a few weeks back.
Team Jessica Chastain
If you are someone who is even mildly curious about the backstory of this Christian soap opera that played out as a version of a reality TV show in the 80s and 90s, then I encourage you to give this movie a watch. Jessica Chastain is phenomenal. I will be distraught if she loses to Nicole Kidman, Lady Gaga, or Kristen Stewart for a Golden Globe. Jessica spins circles around any of their performances and, at this point, I believe is the strongest contender. (Full disclosure, I have yet to see The Lost Daughter starring Olivia Colman.)
Does this movie deserve to be nominated for anything? No. It does not. Is it worth your two hours? Yes, I believe it is. Why? Because I support any story that involves addiction and redemption.
Your Wrong About
Your Wrong About is one of my favorite podcasts to listen to when I’m walking my dogs. Sarah is a journalist obsessed with the past. Every week she reconsiders a person or event that’s been miscast in the public imagination. I was delighted to find this interview.
Jessica Chastain and Sarah discuss Tammy Faye Bakker. Chastain is the star and a producer of the new film The Eyes of Tammy Faye. After Jessica and Sarah’s chat, they introduce this episode about Tammy Faye Bakker and Jessica Hahn from the early days of You’re Wrong About.
Sober Curator Pro Tip:
This isn’t the first time Jessica Chastain has played the role of an addict. Check out our review of her in Ava, an American Action Thrilled that will keep you on the edge of your seat!
A Disco Ball is Hundreds of Pieces of Broken Glass, Put Together to Make a Magical Ball of Light. You are NOT Broken, Friend. You are a DISCO BALL!
Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.
